Brigitte Bardot invites Mrs. Maria Berger not to become the Minister for Injustice!

11 August, 2008

Open Letter by Brigitte Bardot: Abusive imprisonment of 10 animal activists
in Austria:

sent by Mrs. Brigitte Bardot to Mr. Hubert Heiss, Ambassador of Austria in France:

"Mister Ambassador,

You are aware of the great emotion, even indignation, of European citizens
after the arbitrary arrest on May 21, when 10 Austrian animal advocates were
imprisoned in an opacity worthy of a totalitarian regime.

Austrian organizations were scandalized by the violence of the police
intervention and the seizure, in private apartments and offices, of many
work files and computers.

These methods, unworthy of a democratic country, made Amnesty International
react, and today I make a point of adding my voice to the many protests.

It is true that for a few months already animals advocates have been
presented like dangerous terrorists, even criminals. This manipulation of
public opinion is shocking, outrageous and more than misplaced.

Yes, our actions do disturb some economic interests, but is that a reason to
soil and muzzle those who are committed to help beings without defense?

Violence is not our reality, on the contrary, we fight it with
determination. Violence is in the blind, cruel and daily exploitation of
millions of animals degraded to consumer goods, to research tools, and being
denied their sensitive nature.

Mister Ambassador, I would like to know the reasons behind this paramilitary
operation against animal advocates in your country. In the international
community the feeling is growing that a political operation is disguised as
legal case. I would also like to know how the still imprisoned people are
doing.

Lastly, please inform Mrs. Maria Berger of my hope that she will do all in
her power to restore confidence in the impartiality of the Austrian justice,
in the principle of 'innocent until found guilty' and in the right to
defense. I hope that by this dirty affair Mrs. Berger will not become the
Minister for Injustice!

By this intervention, the Foundation Brigitte Bardot is supporting the 10
imprisoned Austrian militants and generally all peaceful activists who are
at the moment subjected to continuous, coarse and scandalously
disproportionate attacks.